Metrobank’s 1H26 income steady at PHP 24.9 billion amid challenging conditions

 

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) posted a net income of PHP24.9 billion in the first half of 2026. The results reflect a business environment that remained challenging for the banking industry, with Metrobank’s core businesses providing steady earnings through continued loan growth, stable margins, and modest fee income.

“The operating environment remained challenging in the first half, requiring us to stay disciplined and focused. Our results reflect the strength of Metrobank’s core businesses, the continued trust of our clients, and our prudent approach to balancing growth and risk. We will continue to support our clients while pursuing sustainable growth in an uncertain environment,” said Metrobank President Fabian Dee.

The Bank's net interest income increased by 12.8% to PHP67.7 billion, with net interest margin staying stable at 3.7%. Gross loans expanded by 12.4% year-on-year.  Corporate and commercial loans continued to grow, posting a 12.8% year-on-year increase to support investment spending and higher working capital needs of customers. Consumer loans likewise rose by 11.1% on the back of growth in credit cards and mortgage loans.

Total deposits grew by 10.4% to PHP2.6 trillion, with low-cost Current and Savings Accounts (CASA) rising by 6.4% year-on-year, accounting for 60.5% of total deposits. Loan to deposit ratio edged up to 81.1%, still providing the Bank with sufficient capacity to continue expanding lending activities. 

Fee and trust income increased by 9.3% to PHP10.0 billion, which partly offset the impact of volatile financial markets on trading income.

Operating costs grew by 10.1% to PHP42.4 billion, mainly driven by transaction volume- related taxes and technology expenses as the Bank continued to invest in digital capabilities. Cost to income ratio stood at 52.4%.

While Metrobank’s portfolio health remains solid with non-performing loans (NPL) ratio of 1.8% still below industry’s 3.4%, the Bank raised provisions by 26.8% to keep NPL cover high at 133.3%. This should continue to provide sufficient buffer against potential pressures on asset quality due to weaker macro conditions.  Meanwhile, our restructured loans remain minimal at 0.3% of total loans compared with 2.0% for the industry.

Metrobank’s total consolidated assets expanded by 12.7% to PHP3.9 trillion, the second largest among private universal banks, in asset terms. Equity increased by 4.9% to PHP409.7 billion. The Bank’s capital position remains strong, well above minimum regulatory thresholds. Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio stood at 14.9% and 14.2%, respectively. Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) also remains substantial at 150.1%.

ABOUT METROBANK: 

Metrobank is the country’s second largest private universal bank that empowers both retail and business clients with customized financial products and services fit to help them reach their goals and full potential. Metrobank has an extensive consolidated network that spans 970 domestic branches nationwide, more than 2,200 ATMs, and 27 foreign branches, subsidiaries, and representative offices. The Bank believes that its robust capital position and balance sheet strength will provide ample support as it navigates through uncertain times. Capital ratios, with total Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) at 14.9% and Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio at 14.2% as of end- June 2026. Consolidated assets stood at PHP3.9trillion, making it one of the strongest and well capitalized banks in the country.  Metrobank has investment-grade ratings of Baa2 from Moody’s and BBB- from Fitch Ratings (https://metrobank.com.ph)

The financial guide built for your FYP: Why Filipinos need Earnest in the age of scams, debt, and financial misinformation

  

Metrobank is introducing a new kind of financial guide — one built on credibility, relatability, and genuine concern for Filipinos’ financial wellbeing. Meet Earnest, the trusted voice behind Metrobank’s financial education initiatives.

Earnest is an avatar uniquely designed to help Filipinos make sense of everyday money decisions and protect themselves from fraud and misinformation through relatable, easy-to-understand digital content.

In an online world where financial advice is everywhere, but not always accurate, Earnest serves as a credible guide that cuts through the noise. Whether it is understanding debt, spotting scams, building healthy financial habits, or making smarter money decisions, Earnest makes financial education more accessible, practical, and relevant to everyday life.

"Many Filipinos don't necessarily need more financial information, they need guidance that is approachable, practical, and grounded in their everyday realities. Earnest was created to help Filipinos build confidence in managing their finances, protecting themselves from fraud, and making informed decisions at every stage of their financial journey," said Digs Dimagiba, Metrobank Chief Marketing Officer.

"The goal is not to tell people what to do with their money because financial education should feel less like a lecture and more like a conversation," Dimagiba added.

Earnest's content, published on its Instagram and Tiktok accounts, @earnestph, is intentionally rooted in the real financial challenges Filipinos face today: how to spot and avoid common fraud schemes, how to manage debt responsibly, how to build a savings habit, and how to think critically before acting on financial advice. It is an approach that reflects a long-overdue shift in financial literacy, moving beyond aspirational investing tips to address the foundational questions many Filipinos are still working through: how to budget a monthly salary, what to do with credit, and how to navigate financial setbacks without falling prey to bad advice or worse, scammers.

More than simplifying money conversations, Earnest is built on trust. Backed by a financial institution that has over 60 years of experience in serving and providing financial services to individuals and businesses. And sometimes, the most useful financial voice is not the loudest one in the room. They need a trusted guide that explains money clearly, empowers informed decisions, and helps them build confidence in navigating today's financial landscape.

Follow Earnest on Instagram and TikTok at @earnestph for practical money tips, scam awareness content, and everyday financial guidance designed for Filipinos.

ABOUT METROBANK

Metrobank is the country's second largest private universal bank in terms of assets that empowers both retail and business clients with customized financial products and services fit to help reach their goals and full potential. To know more and get the latest on Metrobank, visit our website, https://www.metrobank.com.ph/home and follow our official social media pages on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Tiktok.

Metrobank advances financial resilience for the next generation

 

Today’s young Filipinos are navigating a financial landscape that is digital-first, fast-moving, and increasingly complex. In this environment, financial products alone are not enough, what matters just as much is financial education that builds the right money mindset early on.

Through Moneygurado, Metrobank advances its commitment to financial mindfulness by helping Filipinos become more intentional with money. Inspired by the Filipino word “manigurado,” which means to make sure, it is also a play on money and “sigurado” or assured.  The campaign, anchored on real-life stories and everyday financial behaviors, reframes money management as a practice of confidence and discipline, moving from reactive decisions to more deliberate, goal-oriented financial actions.

Metrobank focuses on helping Gen Z and young professionals build financial resilience by instilling financial mindfulness early on, enabling them to develop the habit of saving confidently, spending wisely, and making informed financial decisions. 

At the core of Moneygurado is the idea that financial progress is not just about earning more, but about making intentional choices that lead to long-term stability and growth.

For the next generation taking the next step in building their financial future 

Metrobank continues to invest in digital-first banking solutions that make financial management more convenient, accessible, and secure.

The Metrobank eSavings account offers a fully digital onboarding experience with no maintaining balance requirement, making it easier for first-time savers to begin building financial habits. 

For those looking to grow their savings, the Metrobank Online Time Deposit offers competitive interest rates, conveniently managed through the Metrobank app. 

Metrobank also supports everyday financial needs with an InstaPay fee of just PHP 8, enabling fast and affordable fund transfers to other banks and e-wallets.

For those beginning to build their credit history, the Secured Credit Card Program provides an accessible and structured entry point to establish one's credit score. By encouraging mindful spending and timely payments, it helps build confidence in managing credit responsibly before transitioning to Metrobank’s full suite of credit cards.

As financial confidence grows, Metrobank also provides accessible entry points into investing through products like the Metro Money Market Fund, a professionally managed UITF that allows customers to start investing for as low as PHP 1,000.

Guiding better financial decisions

“Today’s generation wants more than just a place to keep their money, they want guidance and tools that help them move forward,” said Digs Dimagiba, Chief Marketing Officer. 

“Whether they are just starting to save or beginning to invest, Metrobank aims to be their trusted financial partner.” 

Through financial education, digital innovation, and accessible tools, Metrobank continues to help young Filipinos build stronger financial foundations for the future. 

To learn more about smarter money habits, visit https://earnest.metrobank.com.ph/moneygurado

ABOUT METROBANK

Metrobank is the country's second largest private universal bank in terms of assets that empowers both retail and business clients with customized financial products and services fit to help reach their goals and full potential. To know more and get the latest on Metrobank, visit our website, https://www.metrobank.com.ph/home and follow our official social media pages on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Tiktok.

The hidden cost of “hatid-sundo”: why mobility expenses matter this school season

 

As families gear up for a new school year, most budgeting conversations revolve around tuition fees, uniforms, books, and school supplies. Yet for many Filipino households, another expense quietly takes a significant share of the family budget: the daily cost of “hatid-sundo.”

For parents and guardians, "hatid-sundo" is more than just a routine. It means additional fuel consumption, toll fees, parking charges, and more frequent vehicle maintenance. With school activities, extracurricular programs, and after-school commitments returning in full swing, mobility expenses can quickly add up over the course of the academic year.

This is where Metrobank’s new Toyota Platinum Card comes in. Designed around everyday mobility and lifestyle spending, the card allows families to earn rewards from expenses they are already making while enjoying savings on common driving-related costs.

Back-to-school season impacts more than just education-related expenses. For many families, it also brings an increase in day-to-day transportation costs, from fuel and toll fees to vehicle maintenance. Financial tools that help offset these recurring mobility expenses can provide meaningful savings throughout the school year, allowing families to allocate more of their budget toward educational needs and other household priorities.

Cardholders can enjoy up to PHP 15,000 in rebates on fuel and toll transactions in the Philippines and abroad, savings that can be redirected toward school essentials such as baon, books, school projects, uniforms, and other educational expenses.

Beyond mobility-related savings, the Toyota Platinum Card also rewards everyday purchases. Whether grocery runs for packed lunches, online shopping for school supplies, or other household expenses, cardholders earn one rewards point for every PHP 20 spent, allowing families to make the most of their back-to-school spending.

Toyota vehicle owners can enjoy even more value through exclusive benefits, including a 10% discount on parts, accessories, and labor at authorized Toyota dealerships nationwide or the option to avail of 0% installment plans of up to six months for qualified service expenses. These benefits help families keep their vehicles in top condition throughout the school year without putting additional strain on their finances.

Cardholders can also earn double rewards points at participating Toyota dealers and enjoy discounts on Toyota mobility rentals, making every journey more rewarding.

Apply for Metrobank’s Toyota Platinum Card online here or visit your nearest Metrobank branch.

ABOUT METROBANK

Metrobank is the country's second largest private universal bank in terms of assets that empowers both retail and business clients with customized financial products and services fit to help reach their goals and full potential. To know more and get the latest on Metrobank, visit our website, https://www.metrobank.com.ph/home and follow our official social media pages on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Tiktok.

Why more Filipinos are rethinking where their mid-year bonus goes

With a wider range of investment options now easily accessible through various platforms, coupled with shifting financial priorities, more Filipinos are becoming more deliberate in how they allocate their mid-year bonuses. The decision is no longer simply about spending or saving, but increasingly about choosing where and how to grow their money in a way that aligns with one’s personal goals, risk appetite, and lifestyle priorities.

This reflects a growing awareness that financial security is achieved not just by earning more, but by making intentional decisions about where money goes. While mid-year bonuses were once commonly directed toward practical household needs or family-related expenses such as education support, many in today’s working population no longer carry the same obligations. As a result, more Filipinos are redirecting extra income toward self-investment such as travel, skill-building, or long-term financial growth, prompting a more conscious evaluation of available investment products in a growing digital financial landscape.

One option gaining attention among first-time investors is Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITFs), which offer a more accessible way to begin investing without requiring large capital or extensive market knowledge. UITFs are professionally managed and invested in various financial instruments that may offer higher potential returns depending on an investor’s goals and risk appetite.

The growing interest in beginner-friendly investment products signals a broader shift in mindset among Filipinos today, from simply saving money to actively growing it.

However, many Filipinos who aim to grow their money still assume that investing is complicated or requires a large amount to begin with. Products like the Metro Money Market Fund help address these barriers by allowing customers to begin with small but consistent investments gradually building both confidence and more intentional financial habits over time.

The Metro Money Market Fund is ideal for investors with a conservative risk profile, offering a practical starting point for beginners easing into investing. It provides liquidity, potential for higher return and has a 30-day time horizon, so it is best for short-term investment goals. From building an emergency fund, to preparing for future expenses, or simply maximizing a portion of a bonus, the fund allows investors to make their money work harder toward their financial goals.

What makes it especially appealing for beginners is its accessibility and affordability. Customers can start investing through their Metrobank Online account for as low as PHP1,000. The fund also has no minimum holding period or early redemption charges, making it suitable for those who still want flexibility while learning about investing.

Metrobank emphasizes that starting small is often what matters most. Consistently setting aside even a portion of extra income can help build financial discipline and strengthen long-term financial resilience. To help clients further build the habit of investing and growing their funds, they can visit their branch of account and enroll their UITF account under the Automatic Subscription Arrangement (ASA), an automated, scheduled investment feature that deducts a fixed amount from their settlement account to invest in selected Metrobank UITFs.

As more customers explore accessible investment options, Metrobank continues to offer solutions designed to make investing feel less intimidating and more achievable for everyday Filipinos.

Customers may invest in Metrobank UITFs through Metrobank Online or by visiting any Metrobank branch nationwide. More information on Metrobank UITFs is available through Metrobank UITFs.

About Metrobank

Metrobank is the country's second largest private universal bank in terms of assets that empowers both retail and business clients with customized financial products and services fit to help reach their goals and full potential. To know more and get the latest on Metrobank, visit our website, https://www.metrobank.com.ph/home and follow our official social media pages on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Tiktok.